A DHL delivery driver has taken the parcel firm to an employment tribunal, alleging he was a victim of racial discrimination during his six years at the Nottingham depot. Kevin Bijou, 46, from Aspley, Nottingham, worked as a sub-contracted driver for DHL Parcel UK Limited between November 2014 and September 2020.
Mr Bijou, who is of Jamaican Indian ethnicity, claims he faced a series of incidents including public insults, threats of losing work, and his complaints being ignored. He also alleges that his ID was stamped on and that he was subjected to verbal abuse. The tribunal at Nottingham heard that Mr Bijou had made around 40 allegations of discrimination against several colleagues.
James Boyd, solicitor for DHL, argued that other employees denied witnessing any racist incidents. He described Mr Bijou as a 'Marmite character' who referred to himself as 'King of DHL'. Mr Bijou countered that such witnesses were 'handpicked' and more concerned about their jobs than providing accurate accounts.
Mr Boyd suggested that race could be used 'as a weapon' in the workplace, to which Mr Bijou responded: 'What sort of power would that be? I don't have that power, I am part of a team.' The tribunal continues to hear evidence.
